Mitzy the marathoner strikes back

Two years ago, Telegram & Gazette editorial cartoonist David Hitch lashed out against Mitzy, “the jogging addict,” for causing drivers additional frustration as they maneuvered along the snow-covered roads.

At the time, I was training for my first Boston Marathon, and I felt compelled to make a case on Mitzy’s behalf. I sympathized with her need to log her weekly miles even though the road conditions were less than ideal.

Two years later, I find myself once again training for Boston and once again outraged by Mr. Hitch’s March 10 cartoon that literally targets runners.

After returning from a 23-mile training run, I opened the paper to an image and message that suggests Americans would actually approve of a drone strike on U.S. soil if it nailed runners who jogged during storms. The runner featured this time looks eerily like Mitzy, who made her debut in 2011.

Perhaps she did make a poor decision to head out on the roads during the blizzard (I ran 20 miles on the treadmill instead), but I hardly think this warrants a drone attack. And I think the nearly 15 million Americans who run would agree with me. Frustration I can understand.

But skull and crossbones? You’ve taken it too far. I’d be happy to filibuster on this issue. I think I’ve got the stamina. After all, I am a marathoner.